UKCAT Overview

Test Format

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is an entrance test used by most medical and dental schools in the UK. It was introduced in 2006 and is now used by 14 dental schools and 26 medical schools in the UK.

It is a two hour computer-based multiple choice test in the following format:

 

UKCAT Section	Number of questions	Time allowed (including 1 minute to read instructions)	Time allowed for SEN (including 1 minute 15 seconds to read instructions)
Verbal Reasoning Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.	44	22 minutes	27.5 minutes
Decision Making Assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.	29	32 minutes	40 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.	36	25 minutes	31.25 minutes
Abstract Reasoning Assesses the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.	55	14 minutes	17.5 minutes
Situational Judgement Measures the capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.	68	27 minutes	33.75 minutes
Total Time		120 minutes	150 minutes

The UKCAT is not a knowledge-based test, there are no science questions and there are no books to read, nothing to memorise and no essays to write.

For additional detail; on the format please see our FAQ section or parents pages:

FAQs

Parents page

UKCAT Consortium Requirements

The UKCAT is a compulsory entry requirement for the universities that make up the UKCAT Consortium.

Candidates are required to sit the test the summer before they apply for entry to medical or dental school in the following academic year.

UKCAT results cannot be carried over from one year to the next and the test can only be sat once in each year. 

Candidates should always check the specific entry requirements for the universities they wish to apply to very carefully. A full list of the universities along with a link to each one is available on our FAQ page:

FAQs

 

Test Booking, Registration and Fees

Tests are administered by Pearson VUE and candidates are required to register an account with them before booking a test.

Fees vary according to the date and venue of the test and some candidates are eligible for a fee waiver, a full breakdown of current fees and bursary requirements is available on our bursaries page.

Register for an account with Pearson VUE here:

Pearson Vue

Apply for a Bursary here:

Bursary Online Application

Candidates taking the UKCAT in 2017 for entry to university in 2018 will be subject to the following deadlines and key dates:

 

Registration opens	2 May 2017
Bursary scheme opens	2 May 2017
Testing begins	3 July 2017
Registration closes	19 September 2017 at 5pm
Bursary deadline	19 September 2017 at 5pm
Booking/Rescheduling closes	2 October 2017 at midday
Last testing date	3 October 2017
UCAS application deadline	15 October 2017
Results delivered to universities	Early November 2017

Preparation

There are a number of The official practice tests are produced by the UKCAT consortium and are very helpful.

 

Resources  

Blog

Free questions

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Official practice test

BBC bitesize